New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-01-12

tab, shed proved so satisfactory that any change
III the,, = was generally objected to BY farmers
and deal> rs a1 tAe commencement Of the pres
ent crop w IL.
Some amen. ments to the law correcting i'm
psrfections, wto> aning it's scope and extending
the supervision of the commissioners to
country elevators ahu warehouses, are recon-
mended by the board.
The successful results achieved under the rail-
road and warehouse laws have been 30 largely
due e to the ability, industry and aptitude foH
have earned the thanks of the peopIe of
the state. They have secured concesl
slons from the railroad companies greater than
have ever been accorded to any state railroad
commission in the country, and they have in
augurated system of state grain inspection
which is being quoted and copied as e model in
some of the older states.
There are now In operation 1900 miles Of
railroad in the state. an increase of 1888 miles in
Two years. Cost per mile as reported, $685.
The earnings Of these roads were as follows:
Gross. .s22 Gil, 199 II s25,102, 3l9 "a
Net: 11456,ee2 IS 1s,os4,o52 50
state ... elias IS 612,545 %
During the five years it has been my privilege
to occupy the executive office Minnesota has
experienced development unprecedented in
her history, and hardly eQualed by that OF any
other community OF the country for a like period
OF time. Her growth in population has been
nearly 60 per cent, and her assessed real and
personal estate has increased from 1921, So 96l
in 1881 to $455. 424, TT in 1886. The indus
tries and business interests of her people have
kept pace in their development with this growth
in population and wealth, and the foundations
have been broadened and strengthened for that
greatness OF empire which is the abundant
promise Of our future destiny. A brief reference
to the measures and policy that have specially
characterized the administration of her public
Interests during this period may not be regarded
OUT OF place i'll this connection
IN r1roY1 ", boo,
largely increased expenditures in the ,nainte-
nance OF the several departments Of the state
government and in the enlargement and support
OF her state institutions. Extraordinary ex-
pendilures have also been occasioned by the ne
cessity of replacing public structures destroyed
by fire, notably the state capitol, the state
prison and the first hospital for the insane Ex-
penditures for permanent public improvements
the past five years have exceeded in the aggre-
gate 81. 500, 900. The interest also upon the
railroad adjustment bonds which represent
our present state debt first became a
burden upon the treasury in 1882. But not
withstanding these largely increased demands
met and the public debt considerably reduced
without adding to the burdens of the people in
the way OF taxation: in fact, there has been paid
as taxes to the state less than was paid during
either OF the two periods OF five years i'm
1ned1ately preceding. The average for the five
years ending with 1876 was $472, 9S62l per
amy III Tor the tive years ending with 1881
$473, S7S.5S and for the five years ending with
1886 $44S, 61797. This in view of the enor-
mously increased assessed valuation of the state
would further show largely diminished rate of
taxation. The averaged rate for the first period
named was 2S-lOO mills per annum and for
the last 46-lOO mills. This showing has beenI
made possible mainly by largely augmented
revenues of the state from other sources, especi-
ally receipts from railroad and insurance com
panles The trust funds have been increased
from S6,27S.91l.?2 in 1881 to So. 6O1, 637. IA in
1886. These additions the proceeds OF the
sale of land and pine stumpage belonging to the
several funds, except $142, SO6.l1 which has
been realized as profit on the sale and exchange
OF securities held by these funds. Recent in
vestment, of these funds have been in the bonds
OF the State of Tennessee which have largely in
creased IN value since their purchase, and if sold
at the price at which the last purchase was
made further profit of $194, $40 would be re-
Allied
AS an agency in the line of public reform and
retrenchment IN public expenses the state board
OF corrections and charities was organized in
1888. Its efficiency in this service has been
shown in the improved methods adopted
through Its lnstrumentality in many OF the
counties OF the state, in the administration of
their local institutions and the decrease in cost
Mt maintaining their charitable and penal de-
pendents. The board have also instituted a
aniform system OF accounting, under which all
expenditures at our state institutions are spread
before the public in an Ineligible FORM
was made IN 1883. As measure in the interest of
public economy and reform this change must be
regarded as a most salutary. one.
the state and its effective measures for the pro-
teo5ion OF public health together with it's ample
provision for the management and control of
OF the legislation of 1885, supplemented by the
vigorous and efficient action Of the state board of
health. No state is now better equipped than
our own to deal with emergencies growing out
OF epidem1cs or infectious diseases
AS a great public charity and an agency of
moral reform the state school for dependent and
neglected children, recently opend at Owatonna,
will command place alongside the most worthy
institutions of the state. Its work in reclaim
ing from the communicating influences of igno-
rance and vice these innocent dependents will
be felt IN future years in saving to the citizen
ship OF our state thousands who might otherwise
contribute to swell the population Of her penal
institutions.
In 1881 the state militia was represented by a
few independent companies scattered, neglected
and poorly organized and poorly equipped.
From that nucleus has been developed our pres
ent effective organization OF national guards, as
compact. well disciplined and reliable body of
citizen soldiers, in proportion to numbers, as
any state of the Union can show.
The immunity from taxation of the lands held
by railroad corporations has for years worked
hardship and gross injustice to settlers in
sparsely populated sections of the state, and
constituted grievance Of great magnitude Re-
lief in great measure has been afforded in this
regard by the result OF the recent prosecutions
by the attorney general against five of the COR
DoratlOns, which pieces the lands held by four
OF them upon the tax lists.
The law OF 1885 prohibiting the manufact ure
and sale of adulterated dairy products has had
the effect. to stimulate in marked degree an
important industry Of the state, which had be-
gun to langnish by reason of the Importation of
fraudulent limitations and substitutes, with
which the honest products of the dairy were
brought into competition.
Probably the most important measures of re-
form, more far-reaching in all their future in
huence fer the relief of the people than any that
have been instituted in recent years, are those
which constitute our present policy respecting
the control and regulation of railway corpora
t1ona. The legislation of 1885 upon this sub
Ject, and also that respecting state supervision
Of warehouses; and the inspection of grain, was
hailed by the people OF the state at large as the
dawn of their deliverance from monopolistic
exactions and expressions. believe the rea-
sonable expectations of the people have not
been disappointed in the result thus far reached
in the administration Of this new policy
Recognizing it as the agency through which
their ultimate emancipation may be worked out.
they patiently await such action at your hands
as shall make it fully and completely effective
to that end.
CONCLUSION.
Insurrendering the high trust with which I
have been so long honored. desire to express to
my associates in the administration my sense Of
obligation for the cordiality with which their CO.
operation has ever been rendered in my support
Ability, Integrity and conscientious regard for